Race Reviews

James Witherite, a lifelong
fan and follower of harness racing, has made a career of it since 2006.
Following studies in music composition at Duquesne University and a seven-year
stint as the racecaller at Harrah's Philadelphia, he moved his base of
operations to Tioga Downs (and its sister track Vernon Downs) in 2014, where he
not only is the lead broadcaster, but also the program handicapper and
oddsmaker. When not on the mic or
calling the horses to post in a more musical fashion, the 30-year-old
Pennsylvania native is an accomplished jazz organist.

He looks to bounce back from a break last out following a respectable qualifier last week. Inside draw should keep him close enough throughout.

2

New York Attitude

He labored off third-over cover at this level in his last after weakening in his prior start. He comes back after again missing a week; tread lightly.

3

O'Wow

Despite a traffic-troubled journey in his last, he showed ability to advance after wedging between foes in the last 30 yards. Clearer can aid greatly. Trainer: Trained well, should race well if he stays at it.

4

Funny Photo

Vernon arrival hasn't come home in under :30 since a first-level Miracle Mile race in August. He's likely to need this one on the class hike.

5

Tarot

He stayed on admirably three back, but was too far away to threaten last week. That said, he progressed out of traffic. Can add value to exotics.

6

Twice Too Nice

Despite some undisputedly rapid miles at Vernon this summer, she became detached locally last week. Most recent success came two levels below.

7

Magglio

He missed last week due to illness after he was overmatched in a G-Notes final on 11/25. Needs ideal circumstances to stay on for a minor, it seems.

8

In Your Room

She makes her first start since August of 2015, qualifying evenly last week. She tends to be prominent early; that could be enough for a share in here.

9

P L Icabod

His belated gains at 83-1 last week are made all the more impressive by the fact that he overcame dull cover to make them. Drops; can contend.

10

Gambler Springs

The 12-year-old veteran boasts a form edge, to be sure, but steps up from $6k events at Plainridge. Post 10 likely to hinder; judge value accordingly.

After strong pressing efforts to hit the board in three of his last four, he steps down to the $7.5k level. Strong form + step down = contender. Trainer: Lots of changes to equipment, should be competitive.

2

Fox Valley Cupid

Second-time Dane starter picks up Callahan after a narrow defeat at Pocono. Should be prominent again from this cozy draw, mind value.

3

Must Be the Bunny

Another one enjoying good form of late, his regression on 11/26 can largely be attributed to traffic trouble. Drops; can rebound with clearer. Trainer: Classy old horse; he tries every start.

4

Amped Up

In his eighth-place finish against $10k foes last out, he could only find room in the last eighth, and was even from then. Clearer can aid greatly.

5

Believe This Romeo

This Pocono invader could provide some hidden value. He raced here three back, but his pressing bid came up empty. Include at right price.

6

Great Soul

The 11-year-old emerged up the pegs with decent pace after a mild shuffle in last week's Jersey Strong final. Finds easier, gains Miller.

7

Major Bubbles N

He steps below a winning level after he labored to stay even in traffic last week. Despite regression in past lines, raw speed suits. Mind value.

8

Strong Signal

Plainridge invader is certainly not lacking for raw speed, showing good staying power of late. Rises from $6k company; needs live flow for best.

9

Hall of Terror

He circled off the far turn to win at Philly last week on a second straight drop in class. Despite that, others show stronger late kick. Post 9 hurts.

10

Falcon Justice

Another wide draw is bound to trouble this one after he only managed to stay even off excess cover last week. Too far from inside contenders.

While he gained late last week, he had the power to advance more strongly if only he had the room to do so. Post relief lands him closer.

2

Sweet Justice

Extreme post relief compounds the class relief this 30-time winner gets, but Ginsburg opts off. Will a more prominent spot help in this fast field?

3

Nowucit Nowudont

He looked a winner until he broke in deep stretch in his last try. Beat $15k types three back, worth another chance at this easier level. Trainer: Coming off a break, but in a class he has been competitive in.

4

March Awareness

Further class relief can aid the 23-time winner, but he has been off for three weeks. Stalking efforts in October encourage; live cover can aid.

5

Ulster

He failed to sustain a pressing bid on the rise to this level last week, but he hit the board thrice prior. Can rebound if able to avoid the breeze.

6

Surface Tension

This 26-time winner returns to two turns after missing the board in his last three over 1m2f. Variables abound with this one; watch and assess.

7

Detroit Rapper

He's back down to a competitive level after gapping third-over cover in a third-level race last week. At his best when in play from the outset. Trainer: Working his way down the ladder. Everything seems good, just has a negative attitude on racing. Hoping class will jumpstart him back.

8

Onda di Mare

She hit the board in 3 of her last 4 local tries, most recently against tougher. Step down, proven versatility help to alleviate wide draw.

9

Gianni

He pushed strongly off stalled cover last week and sustained good progress to the line. Can surely work into exotics from well back.

10

A J Destiny

While he missed his last due to sickness, he steps down and cuts back from 1m2f here. Post 10 hinders, regression last out gives pause too.

He moves laterally following a near pillar-to-post win at Philly, but those last quarters of late give pause. Others seem sharper of late, to be fair.

2

Market Share

The champion rallied off cover to just reach a softer group last week, and Tetrick remains aboard. Can the kinder draw keep him sharper late?

3

Keystone Ace

After pouncing from the pocket to beat $20k types at Plainridge, he invades for 150% the price. Best when prominent; stout foes await.

4

Opening Night

The 20-time winner has been no worse than fourth in his last five, doing his best when close to the action. Second straight step down helps.

5

Buddy Hally

He sustained mild gains steadily on debut last week, proving no match for Aldebaran Eagle. Fits well in this group despite three dropping down.

6

Fashion Creditor

He tries two turns after weakening at 1m2f in his last. Those sub-1:54 miles at Pocono two and three back encourage, and Brett opts on, too. Trainer: Big closing kick. This is a very competitive race for this class.

7

Waiting On a Woman

The 57-time winner returns to a winning level tonight, and is reunited with Bongiorno. Draw biggest hurdle noting he's best when close.

8

Panamanian Hanover

Tetrick opts off the Philly invader who repelled pressure to beat similar in his last. Outside draw, time off since that win both give pause.

9

Opulent Yankee

While odds-on at this level last week, he was rebuffed by Aldebaran Eagle after pulling pocket. Underlay potential less severe from post 9. Trainer: Post 9 is the challenge.

She rises off two straight wins, most recently pressing on after losing cover and drawing away with authority. Clear form edge; Corey's choice. Trainer: Ready to go, all is well. SheÕs sharp.

5

Go For Sand

In her debut effort last week, she stayed on well while four-wide, missing by 1-1/2 lengths at 90-1! We won't see that price tonight.

6

Blush Hanover

She had plenty of pace while six-wide in the straight last week, but was too far away to pose any threat. Stalker-closer draws much better.

7

Cherry Bliss

Andy opts to stay with this mare following her three-wide push off live cover to stay on last week. Her 1:50.4 mile two back came up the pegs.

8

Elm Grove Inarush

This mare held her own for minor shares at long odds among top groups at Plainridge and Saratoga. Trip is bound to play a big role for her.

9

Shutthefrontdoor

Solid pressing type proved closing ability from far off the pace in her last two tries against tougher. Drops, picks up Tim. Lots to like tonight. Trainer: Honest mare. Drops, but draws post 9. Can overcome with some racing luck.

He's back to two turns after hitting the super in four of five. He held his own at Pocono against similar foes; can factor if close and clear.

2

I C Caviar

He rises after making mild gains to save third, hooking out of traffic in upper stretch. Class hike gives pause, especially noting form of others.

3

Midfield Magic

Powerful wins off close tracking trips were three levels below this one. While he figures to be prominent yet again, I fear he's in too tough.

4

Wing Flash

Yonkers invader kept her first-over bid alive to the end over added distance last week. Second-time Lasix; back to a mile amid strong form. Trainer: First time on the mile track.

5

Naughty III

Two back, she narrowly missed while in the clear, but more recently failed to sustain a first-over bid. Could the bounce theory factor in?

6

House On Fire

Solid enough presser-stalker in $30k events at Yonkers steps down and cuts back to a mile after missing last week. Can reach for a share.

7

Promise Delivered

New arrival to the McDermott stable qualified well last week after kicking cover to beat N5L in his last appearance. Miller's choice; seems to fit. Trainer: Could not be any happier with this purchase. Bought off top connections and came in top shape. Qualified very well.

8

Stitch in Time

She's lacked in three starts at this level despite strong front-end wins over softer 4 and 5 back. Outside draw hinders; wait for a better spot.

9

Never Ever Clever

A couple things encourage here: she was put in play from post 10 last out and stayed even late, and Corey opts on. Strong minor option.

Cleveland invader circled to win a series final at 27-1 last week after holding her own in much softer at Freehold last month. Class concerns.

2

She's Heavenly

Miller opts off after this mare failed to progress out of traffic in her last try at this level. She shows better two and three back; demand value.

3

Right Stuff

While she drops back to a level she dominated in three back, she was struggling late last week. She can rebound, but be most wary of value.

4

Joyful Game

Last week's local effort was a respectable one--she chased the winner's cover to work into second. Working her way back up; capable stayer.

5

N Angel Among Us

She brushed and edged clear of N3L types at Pocono two back, but that 1:55 mile only fits in mid-division here. That said, Miller opts over two.

6

Kelli Rachelle

The 8-time winner was suitably fast in tougher events this summer, but she's been off since August. Capable on drop, but may need the race.

7

Bettor Jus Wing It

Another Pocono invader was even while rearward in a N3L event last out. McCarthy takes over the lines; variables abound. Watch; assess.

8

Change the Rulz N

Tetrick opts on this Yonkers invader who steps down after hitting the board from off the pace in three of four. Form and class both encourage. Trainer: First time Lasix. Been racing well at Yonkers, should enjoy Big M.

9

Perfect Truth

In her last five Massachusetts races, she pressed and stalked to hit the board each time. Outside draw, further class hike present obstacles. Trainer: Tied up last week.

Saratoga invader gained well from off the pace in her last, draws inside, and Brett opts on over two others. Class hike becomes less daunting.

2

Fat Lady Returns

She made decent ground on debut last week, finding room to rally mildly in mid-stretch. Kinder draw should keep her closer; traffic yet a concern.

3

Cheekie

She steps down on arrival from Massachusetts, but has lacked in terms of late pace in recent tries. Can the switch to 2 turns help her rebound?

4

My Spring Fling

Like Anty Entity, she rises on arrival from Saratoga, but she does so off a more strenuous journey. Minor placings against tougher encourage.

5

Play Again

She posed no threat in two tries at this level after just reaching at Monticello three back. Last week's break gives pause.

6

Let Her Rock

Two back, this mare rallied strongly to save third against tougher, but she weakened after chasing more recently. Mind value on step down. Trainer: Drop in class may perk her up. Early speed was costly in her last.

7

Temptation Queen

This Monticello invader reached the board three times in her last four, with an outside draw the culprit two back. Watch and assess on arrival.

8

Sportsmuffler

She stayed on admirably out of traffic to save third on debut last week, and she's back with similar. Seems amply sharp; let the board decide. Trainer: Coming off a good effort and in a good spot.

9

Gentle Janet

While she overcame a rearward trip to take fifth last week, she's faced with an outside draw. I wouldn't rule her out for a share in exotics.

10

Relentless Spirit

Traffic hindered most in last week's effort, and this outside draw is alleviated in part by class relief. Clearer journey can surely aid.